Explanation: If it can be construed as gay-bashing, it almost assuredly will be construed as gay-bashing. So, unless you’re talking about the flower, pansy is a no-go on the campaign trail. You can’t use it to mean “effeminate” or “weak.” Not anymore. The word has been explicitly condemned as a derogatory gay slur for decades and implicitly known as one for centuries. Gay blogs immediately latched onto Easley’s seemingly innocent comment, demanding that Clinton renounce it. Also out: fairy, fruit, nancy and, note to Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.): “maricon.”

Fatal Attraction

Gaffe: Rep. Stephen I. Cohen (D-Tenn.) evoked the notorious film Fatal Attraction to describe Clinton’s intention to remain in the presidential race. Speaking to a local Tennessee television station, Cohen opined, “Glenn Close should have stayed in the tub.”

Explanation: It hardly needs to be said that equating Clinton with a bunny-killing cinematic psychopath doesn’t do justice to her or to the historic nature of her campaign. And it’s a good way to piss off your female constituents.

“Articulate”

Gaffe: Examples, usually involving Barack Obama, are too numerous to mention. Not quite a cringe-worthy gaffe yet, but rapidly moving in that direction.

Explanation: Yes, Obama is articulate. But so are scores of other white politicians who are not regularly referred to as articulate. Calling him “articulate,” even by way of a sincere compliment, is premised on a stereotype, so it’s best avoided. For the record, as Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) learned the hard way, “clean” is not an acceptable alternative.

Any assassination reference

Gaffe: In an interview with the Argus Leader editorial board last week, Clinton said: “You know, my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California.” The week prior, former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee made a fatuous joke about Obama getting shot at during a speaking engagement hosted by the National Rifle Association.

Explanation: Even in jest, assassinations are not funny. And in Clinton’s case, regardless of what she meant, the remark caused a minor political tremor precisely because the topic is so sensitive.

It's amazing to me how fools like Figuero Slim and Mayme are willing to be programmed and then sent out to destroy a decent man. What you fools should be doing is protesting against the worst President in modern history, bar none. George W. Bush.

Oh, and never mention drugs in the same sentence as Obama. With a white politician (such as Bush, Bill Clinton, etc) it was all fun in games to make fun of thier alleged drug use. Citing Obama's admitted cocaine use is an easy way to get labeled a racist

the TAR-BABY explanation is one of modern times to make the story more palatable. the original reference was indeed racist because it showed a BLACK doll in the drawing form of the times used to depict the Negro. ..... PUBLIC RELATIONS was done recently re-tooled the reference to make appear un-racist. but Chaney was known for these kind of references to refer to Blacks. i dont think he really meant to be real derogatory but it was just the way he himself was brought up to think of Blacks in his day.

"It is clear from the context that Hillary was invoking a familiar political circumstance in order to support her decision to stay in the race through June. I have heard her make this reference before, also citing her husband's 1992 race, both of which were hard fought through June. I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense."

================== i do admire intelligence and independent thinking when it could be so easy to go with whatever is popular..... God Bless you Robert

No undisciplined messaging In fact Hillary's comment was carefully crafted over two months earlier. Think it was a slip? Same slip 4 times? Four days after ABC polled that 59% of Americans feared for Obama's safety, Hillary started talking assassination. Hard to believe, but this site has the facts and sources: zFacts.com

oh my.... will we be punished and sent to our rooms if we dare mention the candidate's middle name?.... and what will he do when it is ushered if he is sworn in ((NOT!!)) - - can we expect him to totally freak out?

Just what we need now, more political correctness. I for one would love it if Obama called McCain a senile old goat or McCain called Obama "Tar Baby" during a debate and I think even Hillary supporters would agree that "*****" wouldn't be far off the mark as an apt description.

Well, Barack's dad was a Muslim which means that Barack was Muslim from the moment of his birth under sharia (Islamic law) until he was baptized into Christianity at age 26 at Trinity. So folks who erroneously think Barack is a current Muslim are not too far off -- he is a former Muslim guilty of the highest crime in Islam - apostasy or "irtidad" -- punishable by death in the Middle East according to a NYT article by Edward Luttwak.

Seriously, think about how many times you've read a news article that goes like "And Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama campagined in..." If they keep treating his name like Voldermort, it gives the impression of weakness. To avoid that image, I think he should end his ads from this point on with "My name is Barack Hussein Obama, and I approve this message." That would be a sign of strength.